Symposium works with a select group of clients and prefers to develop long term relationships. On contracts assisting investors, Symposium typically has the right to make "side-by-side" minority co-investments. Symposium also raises funds for these minority investment opportunities and typically has the option to assume a seat on the Board. Contracts assisting schools and service providers are project specific.
Scott W. Steffey, Symposium’s Founder and President, is a recognized leader in the education field. Previously, Mr. Steffey was the Chief Operating Officer of Strayer Education, Inc., which he transformed from a D.C. area university system, into a major international university system by opening new states and campuses along the east coast and west to the Mississippi River, as well as unveiling asynchronous online learning for all programs, which quickly added students from all 50 states and 39 countries around the world. During Mr. Steffey's tenure, enrollment grewfrom roughly 11,000 to more than 23,000, revenue grew from $78 million to $185 million, operating income grew from $31 million to $66 million and operating margins were the highest in the Industry at 40%.
Prior to his successful expansion of Strayer, Mr. Steffey was the first executive-in-residence at New Mountain Capital, LLC, founded by Steve Klinsky. Steffey and Klinsky successfully targeted Strayer for recapitalization.
Mr. Steffey also served as Vice Chancellor of the State University of New York , where he had very broad responsibilities for its 400,000 students, 75,000 faculty and administrators, and $200 million operating budget. Additionally, he founded the Charter Schools Institute, and helped to open New York's first charter schools.
Before that, Mr. Steffey served in senior positions at the Fortune 10 companies of American Express and NYNEX (now Verizon).